WHAT IS AN OPTICAL TECHNICIAN?

For centuries people have been wearing glasses to help them to see better. In Great Britain over 25 million people wear glasses either for distance, reading or both. Spectacle frames are generally made by mass production. Many lenses, however, have to be individually made and complete spectacles produced in thousands of permutations to correct individual visual defects. It is the job of the optical technician to make these lenses and fit them to frames.

HOW ARE LENSES MADE?

In the past lenses were made by hand from glass. This was a long process as each surface of the lens had to be ground and polished, using differing grades of abrasives until the final highly polished surfaces were achieved. In the 1950's the introduction of plastics for lenses started a revolution in production techniques, and now more than 80% of lenses are made from modern plastics materials. Many of the simpler lenses are produced, ready finished, by moulding processes but more complicated ones still have to be individually made. High tech computer-controlled machinery has taken over from the old manual methods, but technicians have to understand how to use these machines as well as understanding the principles behind them.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO LEARN?

Much of the training is of a practical nature, but it is also essential to understand the theory behind the practical work so that, when qualified, a technician will be capable of seeing a lens through from its initial 'blank' stage to fitting it into a spectacle frame.

DO I NEED ANY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND HOW DO I LEARN?

Academic qualifications are not necessary to enter this career but some knowledge of mathematics would be an advantage.

Training can be undertaken by any one of three routes:

1) Day Release - by attending the City & lslington College in London one day per week over two years
2) Correspondence course in your own time over two years.
3) By attending the SMC modular courses which are held at various venues throughout the year.

It is assumed, of course, that you are already working in an optical laboratory or practice at the same time, or have access to one in order to obtain practical experience.

WOULD I HAVE ANY RECOGNITION AT THE END OF MY TRAINING?

At the end of your training you would be expected to sit the Spectacle Makers' examination and, if successful, would be awarded the Optical Technicians Certificate - a nationally recognised qualification - and be entitled to use the initials SMC(Tech.) after your name. Holders of the certificate are eligible to apply for the Freedom of the Spectacle Makers' Company and, if of British nationality, the Freedom of the City of London. In fullness of time you may also wish to become a Liveryman of the Company.

WHAT ARE THE CAREER PROSPECTS?

There are a number of options for employment as a qualified technician.
Some single practice opticians employ technicians to 'cut, edge and fit', in other words edging surfaced lenses to the spectacle frame shape and fitting them in the frame.
Larger practices sometimes have an 'in house' laboratory where lenses are surfaced to prescription on the premises.
Then there are also the comprehensive prescription companies, some being independent and some owned by optical groups. They are situated throughout the country and provide a total service to their customers ranging from finished uncut lenses through to the making of complex lenses.
Many holders of SMC(Tech) have gone on successfully to train as dispensing opticians,whilst others are today's optical industry training officers and management team members.